Ondo targets global cocoa export market, as Aiyedatiwa vows to combat deforestation

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Tuesday declared that his administration has intensified efforts to combat deforestation and reposition the state’s cocoa sector in line with emerging international standards on sustainable agricultural production and global market compliance.

He stated this during the opening of the 2nd FAO Participatory Informed Learning Approach Multi-Stakeholders Workshop organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations GEF-7 FOLUR-IP Nigeria Project in Akure.

Aiyedatiwa disclosed that the state government had inaugurated the State Strategic Committee on European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation compliance to align Ondo’s cocoa industry with global standards on deforestation-free cocoa production, agroforestry and restoration of degraded forests.

He revealed that the government had also constituted a forest management committee to monitor forest activities and preserve the state’s forest resources.

According to him, the FAO GEF-7 Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Programme has continued to contribute significantly to sustainable agricultural practices and environmental protection in the state.

The governor said the project was being implemented across eight local government areas, Akure South, Idanre, Ondo West, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo, Owo, Odigbo, Okitipupa and Irele, adding that about 14,000 smallholder cocoa and oil palm farmers had already been profiled under the pilot phase of the programme.

He commended the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for supporting efforts aimed at transforming cocoa and oil palm production systems in the Niger Delta towards sustainability and resilience.

The governor acknowledged the supply of Geographic Information System equipment to Ondo State for the establishment of a GIS Laboratory in the state REDD+ Unit, saying the facility had enhanced geospatial analysis and mapping activities for effective forest landscape management.

He added that the project had supported the provision of agroforestry and timber seedlings for farmers and members of the Ondo State Timber Trade Organisation to facilitate restoration of degraded forest sites.

According to him, the intervention also included training for agricultural extension officers and farmers on climate-smart agriculture, cocoa and oil palm production, agroforestry practices, polygon mapping for European Union Deforestation Regulation compliance, as well as sensitisation on integrated land management and customary land titling.

He stressed the need for stakeholders to embrace integrated landscape management and sustainable food systems capable of ensuring food security and improved livelihoods for farmers.

The governor assured that the state government would increase its co-financing support for the FAO GEF-7 project to guarantee improved performance and successful implementation across the state before formally declaring the workshop open.

Earlier, the National Coordinator of FAO in Nigeria, Nifesmi Ogunkua, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to promote sustainable land use, agroforestry and improved access to international markets for cocoa and oil palm farmers in Ondo State.

Ogunkua explained that FAO remained responsible for the technical quality and overall delivery of the project while working with national institutions to ensure sustainable impacts.

She noted that the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria serves as the executive partner through the National Project Management Unit and State Implementation Unit under the global programme being implemented across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

According to her, the programme seeks to transform food systems through sustainable agriculture, reduction of deforestation and land degradation, ecosystem restoration, improved livelihoods and environmental governance.

She said Ondo State occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s cocoa landscape and could emerge as a leading model for sustainable and climate-resilient cocoa production if stronger land use planning, agroforestry systems, forest conservation and farmers’ access to fields are prioritised.

She warned that increased cocoa and oil palm production would amount to little if farmers could not access premium international markets through traceability and certification systems.

Ogunkua commended the Ondo State Government for providing an enabling environment and disclosed that a GIS facility had been established in the state, describing the initiative as “Ondo State’s own project” with FAO providing technical oversight to ensure global standards.